Masculinity, Media, and How to Citizen – with Baratunde Thurston

Media Dynamics

Baratunde Thurston, a founding partner of Puck, discusses the evolving dynamics of media and its impact on society. He highlights how traditional media often overlooks significant issues like climate change and democratic experiments, focusing instead on sensationalism, which he refers to as a vicious cycle of feeding and responding to audience clicks 1. Thurston also expresses concerns about the creator economy, particularly the potential consequences if TikTok were banned in the US, predicting a scramble among platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to capture displaced users 2.

The technology we make is still largely the result of a handful of very, very rich people trying to get very, very much richer.

--- Baratunde Thurston

He advocates for a more democratic process in determining the use of emerging technologies, ensuring they serve the broader public interest.

   

Cultural Narratives

Thurston's work on "How to Citizen" emphasizes the active role individuals can play in shaping democracy, promoting the idea of citizenship as a verb rather than a status 3. He believes that media narratives significantly influence societal norms and individual perceptions of success, often creating unrealistic standards through platforms like Instagram 4.

Being honest is the most interesting thing in the world.

--- Scott Galloway

Thurston encourages a shift towards authenticity and honesty in media portrayals, challenging the illusion of success perpetuated by social media and advocating for a more genuine representation of personal and societal achievements.